Section: AsiaOne (Singapore)
Leaders renew backing of tattered Ukraine ceasefire
KIEV – The leaders of Ukraine, Germany, France and Russia on Thursday pledged renewed support for a tattered ceasefire in eastern Ukraine despite violations – including the storming of a key town by pro-Russian rebels.As the leaders condemned the fighting and urged both sides to observe the truce, there was strident opposition from...
Putin calls West’s bluff over Ukraine peace deal
MOSCOW – Vladimir Putin has called Europe’s bluff over east Ukraine as Russia-backed separatists seize a strategic town in defiance of a ceasefire brokered by France and Germany.The attack on Debaltseve by rebels loyal to the Russian president amounts to a test of the West’s resolve to stand up to him – at the risk of an...
EU condemns ‘clear violation’ of Ukraine ceasefire in Debaltseve
BRUSSELS – The European Union on Wednesday condemned a rebel offensive against the strategic town of Debaltseve in eastern Ukraine as a “clear violation” of an internationally-backed ceasefire.”The actions by the Russia-backed separatists in Debaltseve are a clear violation of the ceasefire,” the EU’s foreign...
Copping makes beautiful NY debut for Oscar de la Renta
NEW YORK – Oscar de la Renta Tuesday unveiled its first collection since the death of its founder with a beautiful debut of Latin-inspired elegance made fresh by British creative director Peter Copping.The de la Renta show was one of the most hotly anticipated of New York Fashion Week, with fashionistas intrigued to see how Copping would...
Concerns rise over shaky Ukraine truce
SOLEDAR, Ukraine – World powers voiced concern over a shaky truce in Ukraine that went into a third day Tuesday with no sign of a let-up in fighting for a key eastern town and no pull-back of heavy weapons from the frontline.The United States and Germany called for a stop to the hostilities and urged free access for OSCE monitors blocked...
US urges Russia, rebels to ‘immediately’ halt Ukraine attacks
The United States called on Russia and the separatists it backs to “immediately” halt attacks in eastern Ukraine on Monday, expressing grave concern about ceasefire violations.A two-day old truce was on the verge of collapsing as fighting raged around a strategic railway hub and both sides said conditions were not met to start...
Ukrainian woman proposes to boyfriend in Panda costume
The daily also reported that a Ukrainian woman proposed to her boyfriend on Valentine’s Day in Dujiang Yan, China, reported China Press.The woman, known only as Sasha, 26, had put on a panda costume before dancing in front of her boyfriend Da Bin, 30, and five others.Much to his surprise, she suddenly removed the costume and presented him...
Ukraine under fire 112 times despite ceasefire: Foreign Minister
Ukrainian forces have come under fire from pro-Russian rebels over 100 times in the last 24 hours, despite a ceasefire coming into force at midnight on Saturday, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said Monday.”We and the Ukraine armed forces are fully observing the ceasefire regime but unfortunately in response we have received...
Ukraine says won’t pull back heavy weapons because of rebel fire
Ukraine – A shaky new truce in Ukraine was already at risk on its second day Monday as Kiev said there was “no question” of its troops pulling back heavy weapons, and the EU ratcheted up sanctions on Russia.”There is no question at the moment of us withdrawing heavy weapons” from the frontline because of persistent...
Relief, but doubts at truce in Ukraine conflict zone
DONETSK, Ukraine – Residents of the rebel stronghold of Donetsk breathed a sigh of relief on Sunday morning following a first night without bombardments after a fragile ceasefire came into force in east Ukraine.But despite the sudden outbreak of peace few around the conflict zone seemed confident that the truce would last long after the...
